Today is Remembrance Day in Canada. Last year my husband and I spent several days in Normandy. We visited the burial place of my uncle who was shot down over France a week after D-Day. We toured the battle fields and absorbed the very emotional and important history of the area. It was an experience everyone who has the opportunity should have. Sadly, wars go on. Whether or not we believe in today’s assignments, the men and women whose lives are on the line deserve our support in combat and upon return. Wear a poppy and observe a moment’s silence at 11 a.m. It’s the least we can do.

In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae, May 1915

 

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.